Spence: Don’t be deceived by Springborg and the Nationals' bogus promises on Police Funding
Published Monday, 09 March, 2009 at 01:56 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Police Minister Judy Spence said Lawrence Springborg’s proposal to slash public sector funding would hurt Queensland’s tough stance on law and order.
Ms Spence said Lawrence Springborg’s cruel plan to impose a 3% budget cut across the board upon Queensland’s public service would directly result in jobs lost and the cutting of Police services, as well as taking Police officers away from vital on-the-beat policing and effectively chaining them to a desk to undertake paperwork.
“Springborg’s behaviour is truly kooky. One day he promises to increase the Police Budget with money he doesn’t have, by $318 Million, and only a few days later he says ‘Sorry I’m actually promising to slash the Police Budget by almost $50 Million a year.”
“Last year, the Bligh Government boosted the police budget by 10% to a record $1.6 billion.
“Queensland now accounts for almost 35% of all police capital expenditure in Australia – helping to keep Queensland strong by boosting infrastructure and creating much-needed jobs.
“Last year alone, we spent more than $163 million in police station capital expenditure – almost three times the national average.”
Ms Spence said more than 95% of the Queensland Police Service are involved in important frontline service delivery, but under Springborg’s budget cuts, vital police numbers would have to go.
Any person knows you can't slash the Police Budget by 3% and not expect it to affect operational policing.
“The Nationals’ reckless budget cuts would cost the Queensland Police Service more than 300 police per year.
“Under the Bligh Government, for the first time in Queensland we have more than 10,000 police officers on Queensland streets and now the Nationals want to wind this back.
“This is another example of the Nationals’ warped interpretation of economic management.
“They are desperately trying to find funding to cover their uncosted bogus election promises by cutting jobs and services at a time when Queenslanders most need financial security.
“It’s time for Springborg to come clean about his plans to take policing in Queensland back to the dark ages with unprecedented funding cuts to essential services.
“We can’t risk the uncertainty of the National Party to secure Queensland’s law and order future.
“Springborg’s off the wall plan to cut $50 million from the Police Budget will put the safety of all Queenslanders at risk.”
Media contact: 3239 6218
Ms Spence said Lawrence Springborg’s cruel plan to impose a 3% budget cut across the board upon Queensland’s public service would directly result in jobs lost and the cutting of Police services, as well as taking Police officers away from vital on-the-beat policing and effectively chaining them to a desk to undertake paperwork.
“Springborg’s behaviour is truly kooky. One day he promises to increase the Police Budget with money he doesn’t have, by $318 Million, and only a few days later he says ‘Sorry I’m actually promising to slash the Police Budget by almost $50 Million a year.”
“Last year, the Bligh Government boosted the police budget by 10% to a record $1.6 billion.
“Queensland now accounts for almost 35% of all police capital expenditure in Australia – helping to keep Queensland strong by boosting infrastructure and creating much-needed jobs.
“Last year alone, we spent more than $163 million in police station capital expenditure – almost three times the national average.”
Ms Spence said more than 95% of the Queensland Police Service are involved in important frontline service delivery, but under Springborg’s budget cuts, vital police numbers would have to go.
Any person knows you can't slash the Police Budget by 3% and not expect it to affect operational policing.
“The Nationals’ reckless budget cuts would cost the Queensland Police Service more than 300 police per year.
“Under the Bligh Government, for the first time in Queensland we have more than 10,000 police officers on Queensland streets and now the Nationals want to wind this back.
“This is another example of the Nationals’ warped interpretation of economic management.
“They are desperately trying to find funding to cover their uncosted bogus election promises by cutting jobs and services at a time when Queenslanders most need financial security.
“It’s time for Springborg to come clean about his plans to take policing in Queensland back to the dark ages with unprecedented funding cuts to essential services.
“We can’t risk the uncertainty of the National Party to secure Queensland’s law and order future.
“Springborg’s off the wall plan to cut $50 million from the Police Budget will put the safety of all Queenslanders at risk.”
Media contact: 3239 6218